Before taking questions at the team’s media day, Marrone announced that star running back Delone Carter was returning. Moments later, he added that tailback Averin Collier, who would have been starting his junior year, would not be back because of academic issues.

“People have to look forward to step up,” said Marrone, who begins his second year as head coach at his alma mater.

Marrone was facing some uncertainty at tailback with junior Antwon Bailey as the only returning player with significant playing time. Bailey was second on the team in rushing in 2009 with 312 yards on 67 carries and one touchdown.

That all changed when Carter called early Monday afternoon.

“We look forward to him coming back and being part of this team,” Marrone said of Carter, who was suspended last semester and did not participate in spring practice.

Carter’s troubles began when he was charged with misdemeanor assault after a one-punch fight that followed a snowball-throwing incident on campus in February.

Marrone said it was too early to tell if Carter will start because he hasn’t seen what kind of condition the redshirt senior is in.

“It’s for me to judge whether he’s playing or not,” Marrone said. “We’ll see the physical shape.”

Carter, who suffered a dislocated hip in the 2007 spring scrimmage and missed that season while he recuperated, led Syracuse last fall with 1,021 yards rushing and 11 TDs.

Marrone, a stern disciplinarian, said the team had already punished Carter and no further action would be taken.

Carter’s attorney said in April that Carter had worked out a settlement with the university that called for Carter to perform 200 hours of community service.

Marrone said the Orange welcome 30 new players into the program, which will bring the scholarship total to around 95 for the preseason. That’s 10 below the NCAA limit.

“There’s still a major concern with depth,” Marrone said. “We feel a level of confidence will rise throughout this preseason camp and how we improve as a football team. It’s hard to say. A lot of things have to happen for us to be successful. We have to stay healthy, that’s the No. 1 thing.

“I know we’re not going to be a team that hangs their head,” he said. “We’re going to be a team that’s gonna fight back and get through.”